Former Nigeria Super Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, has expressed deep appreciation with what he termed ‘football renaissance’ in Anambra State under the leadership of Chikelue Iloenyosi, also a former Super Eagles defender who’s the Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association.
“But I’m not surprised because when a ‘General’ who leads from the front is in charge, you don’t expect anything less”, Ekwueme who once starred for now defunct Jasper United of Onitsha before a career move to Polish giants, Polonia Warsaw, in 1999, said.
Ekwueme spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing 2023 NLO playoffs holding at the Awka City Stadium.
The left-sided midfield dazzler during his illustrious career posited that if Iloenyosi could give so much with so short a period he’s been in the football temple of the state, much more would be achieved if given support.
“Ekwueme, who is Nigerian representative of Polish Sportswear Manufacturing giants, Tico, as well as Select of Denmark, called time on his career in 2015 after spell at LZS Piotrwka.
Since then, he’s veered into management and coaching, and presently manages Apex Krane of Asaba, Delta State and Coal City United of Enugu.
Previously, Ekwueme had served as Heartland’s Sporting Director.
“I’ve heard and read so much in both the social and conventional media about about events in the football sector of Anambra State in recent months”, starts Ekwueme at the Awka City Stadium.
“I played football here in Anambra State (Jasper Utd, to be precise) but Awka never enjoyed this Football Mecca buzz it is enjoying at the moment.
“Personally, I must confess that I’ve read so much and even convinced for myself now that I’m here about,all that’s going on in Anambra Football.
“It’s all been positive tunes and all down to the fact that the FA Chairman here, who we all call ‘General’, I must say, is really giving his best for this ‘football renaissance’ to be positively manifesting.
“And I know for a certain, that with support from the government, stakeholders and corporate outfits, he would do much more.
“I can see that things are well organised now and I’m happy about that. Ofcourse, I wouldn’t expect anything less from a ‘General’ who always leads from the frontline.
“When I say he needs support from all, I’m included and would always give my own in anyway or form whenever I’m called upon”, Ekwueme summed up.
